A former brutal pirate with a bounty of 296 million beri, Bartholomew Kuma now appears as a much calmer and more reserved member of the Shichibukai. He moves and acts only when necessary. Like Mihawk and Donquixote Doflamingo, he attended the government summit in Mariejoa following Sir Crocodile's defeat in Alabasta. In Chapter 473, his height is compared to Perona's, revealing that he stands well over twenty feet tall, matching only Moria's true body size. According to Gecko Moria, Kuma is the only obedient Shichibukai of the World Government.
Kuma seems to possess the ability to teleport, enabling him to appear instantly. His powers also include making anyone he touches disappear to an unknown location, as demonstrated when he made Perona vanish by touching her. Additionally, he asks Gecko Moria where he would like to travel, further suggesting this ability. Perona mentions Kuma's notorious brutality as a pirate, but his current behavior reflects a change in personality. During a confrontation with Moria, it was shown that they are approximately equal in height, both being inhumanly tall. Kuma often uses target metaphors, such as "We now have the same target" and "You're right on Target, I am Bartholomew Kuma."
Due to his reserved demeanor and the fact that he is always seen with a large Bible, Kuma is likely modeled after Bartholomew "Black Bart" Roberts, a gentleman pirate known for his religious obstinacy. Currently, Kuma has met with fellow Shichibukai member Gecko Moria regarding the appointment of Marshall D. Teach as a new Shichibukai and offered assistance in defeating the Straw Hat crew. Though he hasn't met them, he does know about Luffy's brother, Portgas D. Ace.
After reporting Moria's defeat, Kuma was ordered to eliminate everyone on Thriller Bark and chose Roronoa Zoro as his first target. Kuma consumed the 'Nikyu Nikyu no Mi' (Paw Paw Fruit), which gives him paw-like prints on his palms and allows him to 'push' tangible materials like people and intangible objects like air at the speed of light.
Following events at Sabaody Archipelago, Kuma appeared in Pacifista form, having been transformed into a robot by World Government scientist Vegapunk. After encountering the struggling Straw Hats, who had just defeated one of the Pacifistas, he defeated them and transported each member to a different island.
Kuma was present at the Battle of Marineford in Pacifista form, along with several mass-production models. It was revealed that Kuma only teleported the Straw Hats to save them from Admiral Kizaru. Additionally, it was disclosed that Kuma works for the Revolutionary Army and informed Rayleigh that they have a connection with the Straw Hats.
